Next step in the "From the Ground Up" Series.

For those of you who have stayed the course on our analogy of comparing the building of your home to the human body, hang in there - we’re almost through!

Just to recap, in past issues (available in our newsletter archives) we have covered:

Issue	Housing Step	Human Comparison
April 07	Plan Design/Lot Placement	Conception/Birthing
July 07	Foundation/Footings	Feet
August 07	Framing	Skeleton
November 07	Rough-in	Internal Organs/Guts
March 08	Roofing/Shingles/Tyvek/Insulation	Skin
August 08	HVAC	Body Temperature
February 09	Kitchen	Heart
Now	Trim/Detail	Beauty/Personality

The Norton "Lit Web" defines "Personality" as that which distinguishes or individualizes a person or thing; its qualities are judged not so much in terms of their moral value, as in "character," but as to whether they are "pleasing" or "unpleasing."

I’m sure all of you would like to have your homes turn out more pleasing than unpleasing. But, who decides what is pleasing vs. unpleasing? You do - It’s your house! But . . . . everyone else will have an opinion.

We do try to steer customers away from building anything that we know from past experience will hamper a re-sale, however, with so many decorating options for home style, colors, textures, and materials, we help you make the personality of your home shine.

Exterior personality. Our outward appearance, i.e., clothing, colors, accessories, gives an indication to those we meet as to whether we are charming, cheerful, harmonious, modern, traditional, or quirky. And, so it is with the exterior of your home. The outward appearance should give an "indication" of what they will find inside. It’s not to say, that you can’t mix styles in interior decorating, but when there is a huge mismatch, a house can appear to have a "personality disorder." For example, if your exterior is a sleek, modern, edgy combination of wood and glass and the interior is very traditional or formal, there is definitely a feeling of disconnect.

So, at Plan Stage we sometimes ask (or scare you to death with) the question: "What style did you have in mind?" Most of the time this can be answered with terms like Arts and Craft, Beach, Cottage, Traditional, or Contemporary. But you can also answer a related question, "How would you describe your dream home’s personality?" with words that convey a feeling. I described mine as "Casual Elegance." I wanted a classy, yet comfortable space where I could entertain both formally and informally -- a space where my personality would shine through. So, as you dream your dream house, think about what you want your house to say about you.

With all of the building materials, colors and textures available, we can help you design your exterior to be exactly what you want. From solid brick, to a combination of stone, cedar shake, board and batten, lap siding, or metal, we can create an intriguing and attractive exterior that fits the style of your home.

When we suggest placement of various materials, we suggest terminating like materials at internal corners. This prevents your home from appearing to have a "false front" or series of facades.

We also suggest making architectural features functional and authentic, especially when selecting shutters, hinges, and decorative features like planter boxes.

And then there’s paint, and the effect that direction, shadows and sunlight have on those paper strips of colors that you think are perfect in the paint store. Believe me, before you give your OK to purchase gallons of paint, show your painters your choices. They know their colors and what happens between the paper paint strip, the paint can and your wall. My experience, "That’s going to look like cat diarrhea when the sun hits it in the afternoon," saved me from making a BIG mistake! (And gave all my friends back in Chicago a BIG laugh!)

Enough about the exterior, let’s move inside.

Interior Personality. Magazines are full of ideas and hopefully before and during the time your home is being constructed, you’ve compiled a folder full of pictures. When the drywall is entirely built out and you can walk through and get a feel for how the house looks, it’s time to get the "look" you want.

Our trim carpenter, John, has worked with us for twenty years. While some may think he’s old- fashioned in his use of a coping saw, you will think again when you see the quality of his trimwork - all joints fit properly and no filler is needed at outer and butt joints. John has an eye for installing just the right amount of trim. Under trimming in size or placement lessens the perceived "value" of a home. And while you might think lots of trim make a house look more expensive, sometimes it just looks gaudy. It’s important that each room be treated on its own, matching the size and amount of trim to room size and ceiling heights and treatment. If you know exactly what you want, John will do it. If you’re not sure what the right balance is, John will provide suggestions as to what he knows will work and look right. We make sure during the bid process that there is enough allowance to do what will make your home look its best.

Sometimes no cove or crown molding needs to be used. To make the rustic look for the Baumhofer’s home (see Signature Home article), John suggested using window and door molding copied from a farmhouse in Ninety-Six that was built in 1929. The trim is wider around the doors and each window has a larger ledge feature that complement their style correctly.

    

On the opposite end of the spectrum, some rooms are all trim. Offices and libraries are prime examples. Wood walls, coffered ceilings and built-in bookshelves provide a rich look.

Can’t find a fireplace mantle you like? Bring John a picture - he’ll build it.

And a last word on paint - We use above building grade paint, inside and outside. How your paint job turns out is highly dependent on the painters. Our painters are second (and some 3rd) generation painters. They, too, like John, know their trade well and take pride in their work.

With your "style" selection, your folder of ideas, and Lee’s and our contractors suggestions, we choose the right combination of materials, trimwork and paint to give both the exterior and interior of your home a pleasing personality.